The revival in the end times

In chapter 5, the prophecy was spoken with “the Lord” as the subject (the singular “I”). But when we enter chapter 6, the subject suddenly shifts to “us.” We must not overlook this change. “Us” refers to the people of Israel. In 5:15 it was prophesied: “I will go away and return to My place Until they acknowledge their guilt and seek My face; In their distress they will search for Me.” Now, in today’s passage, that very thing finally happens. This is the content of the verses before us. (1) Three days before the return of the Lord Jesus, the people of Israel will begin to call out in this way: “Come, let us return to the Lord. For He has torn us, but He will heal us; He has wounded us, but He will bandage us.” They will finally realize that their rejection of Jesus’ Messiahship was the cause of their suffering during the Tribulation. Then they will offer a prayer of repentance (the content of that prayer is found in Isaiah 53:1-9). (2) They will understand that the Lord used human armies to strike them. And they will also recognize that the very One who struck them is the same One who will heal them. (3) “He will revive us after two days; He will raise us up on the third day, that we may live before Him.” The two days following their call to repentance represent a time of revival. And on the third day, the national salvation of Israel will be fulfilled. “So all Israel will be saved” (Rom. 11:26).

The return of the Lord

(1) “So let’s learn, let’s press on to know the Lord.” The ignorance of Israel will be removed, and they will become a people who truly know the Lord. (2) The salvation of Israel is the condition for the return of Jesus. When the people of Israel call upon Jesus as the Messiah, His return to earth will take place. “His appearance is as sure as the dawn; And He will come to us like the rain, As the spring rain waters the earth.” Just as the sunrise certainly comes after the night ends, so the return of the Messiah will surely take place. (3) At that time, the Messiah will restore everything the people of Israel had lost. This is the meaning of the words, “He will come… as the spring rain waters the earth.” The Lord Jesus said, “For I say to you, from now on you will not see Me until you say, ‘Blessed is the One who comes in the name of the Lord!’” (Matt. 23:39). This verse shows that the conversion of Israel is a necessary condition for the Lord’s return. Let us remember the times in which we are living and stand firm in our faith.